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Gold Coast desal plant to go green

The Queensland government says it plans to offset all carbon emissions from the $1.2 billion desalination plant on the Gold Coast, in what could be the state's largest single renewable energy deal.

The Tugun site is expected to produce up to 125 megalitres of water a day for Queensland residents when it is completed in November.

Speaking at the construction site on Sunday, Premier Anna Bligh said the government would be seeking offers from the private sector to power the plant through green energy.

"This desalination plant will use some 200,000 megawatts of power each year," she told reporters.

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"We want to make sure it's operating with green energy."

She said the cost would be passed on to consumers, at a rate of one or two dollars extra a year.

"I believe people will feel comfortable that adding on one or two dollars each year to their water bill ... they will see that it is very positive," Ms Bligh said.

It would cost the government up to $19 million for green energy, compared with about $10 million using the current electricity source.

Ms Bligh said the move was part of the government's overall effort to combat climate change.

"As the highest producer of greenhouse gas emissions in the country, we have the opportunity to make the most difference," she said.

"And to make that difference, we have to think outside the square and go where we haven't before."

Ms Bligh and deputy premier Paul Lucas earlier went on a tour of the site, going 60 metres underground to inspect inlet and outlet tunnels which run about four kilometres out to sea.

Ms Bligh said despite the huge power requirements of the plant, she was confident it could secure either whole or partial green energy by the time it began operating, calling it a "very lucrative" deal for the power industry.

The move to offset the plant's carbon emissions will also make it eligible for $100 million in federal funding.

The government will seek expressions of interest over the coming weeks.